The Dress, The Dress, The Dress!! This is the single most important thing that every woman has been dreaming since she was a little girl. She tried on her mother’s wedding dress and pretended to be getting married, or would wear the dress and pretend to walk down the aisle.The dress is a crucial part to setting the scene for the BIG day. The dress determines how the bride will feel as she walks down the aisle. The dress determines her glow, as all eyes are on her as she walks to meet her husband at the alter.

When to Choose Ball Gown?

What it is The number one distinguishing trait of a ball gown is its very full (aka huge) skirt. The silhouette also has a fitted bodice and is cinched at the natural waist.

Best for Brides with boyish figures. The fullness of the dress will make you look curvier.

Avoid if You’re a petite bride. You’ll get swallowed up by a dress this voluminous.

When to Choose Mermaid?

What it is This shape is defined by a slim, tapered, curve-hugging skirt that follows the line of the hips and thighs and flares out below the knee.

Best for Brides with hourglass figures who want to show off their curves.

Avoid if You know you don’t want something tight; this style is constricting.

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When wedding dress shopping, remember not to bring a big crowd. Although you want all your girls, you dad, your groom, your family and most importantly your mom, there to help, most of the times it is nicer and easier to have just one or two people. Most people bring their mom, their sister(s) and maybe their maid-of-honor or mother-in-law. I think it will be easier to choose a dress and make the right decision to make you happy for your wedding day.

When to Choose Column?

What it is This formfitting style follows the body’s natural line and doesn’t flare out. It’s also referred to as a sheath.

Best for Petite women, since this slim shape adds length. This silhouette also looks great on brides with sleek figures.

Avoid if You’re pear-shaped (when you’re small on top but more rounded on the bottom). This silhouette will make you look unbalanced.

When to Choose Drop Waist?

What it is This silhouette is exactly as you would imagine—it drops and flares out slightly below the waistline around your hip area.

Best for Brides who want to flaunt their trim middles and shape, since it hugs your waist and hips.

Avoid if You have a boxy figure—it might make you look like you have less curves.

When to Choose A-Line?

What it is As its name implies, this cut is narrow at the top and extends out along the body in the shape of—you guessed it—an “A.”

Best for All body types. There’s a reason it’s one of the most popular skirt silhouettes—it’s super-flattering on almost everyone.

Avoid if You’re looking for something really sexy.

When to Choose Trumpet?

What it is A straight-lined skirt subtly flares from the knee toward the hem in a trumpet shape.

Best for Curvy brides who are looking for a formfitting dress that’s slightly easier to move in.

Avoid if You’re not comfortable with clearly showing off your shape or if you have an apple or boxy body type.

If You’re Apple-Shaped?

Look for: A dress that cinches in at the smallest point on the waistline, then flares out into a gradual A shape. Opt for a bodice with a lot of texture to it―think ruche or lace detailing―that will camouflage and fit snugly, creating a corsetlike effect. The most slenderizing neckline for you is one with a deep V, which will draw eyes toward the vertical, not the horizontal.Keep in mind: Avoid trumpet dress styles, which emphasize the area where your body is widest and flare out at the legs and the knees, where you are most slender.

If You’re Plus-Sized?

Look for: An Empire dress with a skirt that begins just under the bust and flows into a gradual floor-length A-line. Make sure the Empire seam does not start on the chest and that there is no pleating of the fabric, which is reminiscent of maternity wear. The dress should play up your shape; if it’s too loose, it will add pounds.

Keep in mind: Find fabrics like satin that provide structure, rather than anything too flowy. If you love the romantic look of airier fabrics, choose a gown with a stiffer base, then add an embroidered tulle overlay.

Now when you are trying to choose a style of dress, it’s best to do some research before heading to the salon. There are so many styles of dresses to choose from: A-line, trumpet, mermaid, ballgown, sheath, drop-waist and more. You have to know you body type in order to know which dresses will look most flattering on you. If you aren’t sure come with a few ideas and try them on. Eliminate the styles you don’t love or that don’t flatter you, and continue on with the styles that do. Once you find the style that flatters all you curves and makes you feel comfortable and BEAUTIFUL, now you have to choose the dress!Here is the harder part. With the style in mind, you can try on dresses, in that style, with different accents. Whether lace, jewels, frill, ruffles or a combination of these are you fancy, you will be able to find the dress that you have been dreaming of since you were a little girl! Once you have the dress, you can continue to plan your wedding. This is the dress that you will be wearing as you walk down the aisle and proclaim your love in front of all you friends and family. It’s not what we think but the way that your groom looks at you. You can see the sparkle in his eyes and the idea that he can’t wait to spend the rest of his life with you. Best of luck dress shopping, I know you will love drop-dead gorgeous on your wedding day!!

Look for: A dress with a scooped neckline. It will open up your face and display your décolletage without showing too much cleavage. If you love the look of strapless gowns, choose one that has a slight dip along the neckline, like a sweetheart, rather than a style that goes straight across (which will make your bust appear even larger and more shelflike).

Keep in mind: Fabric on the bodice that has a sheen to it (such as organza, satin, or silk) will add volume and call attention to your chest. Material that is ruched will have the same effect.

If You're Pear-Shaped?

Look for: A skirt that gradually flares out in an A formation from the natural waist to the floor, highlighting the narrowness of the midsection and floating away from the hips and thighs. (Sturdier fabrics, such as duchesse satin and taffeta, are especially effective, since they won't cling.) A spaghetti-strap bodice or a V neckline will also showcase a more slender upper body.

Keep in mind: A classic A-line silhouette lends itself to formal weddings, but it can also be dressed down when made from a more casual fabric, like eyelet lace or raw-silk shantung.